A brand-new high school and additions to three elementary schools will add more than 1,800 spaces for students in Surrey.  

Today, Education Minister Peter Fassbender, MLA Stephanie Cadieux and the Surrey board of education shared the good news with acting mayor Linda Hepner and local councillors.

The new $55-million secondary school will be in the Clayton North area. The ministry and board have been discussing plans for the new secondary school since the Province announced its support for the project in February 2013. It will have capacity for 1,500 grades 8-12 students to alleviate enrolment pressures − particularly at Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary, which is currently over its capacity.

Construction of the new secondary school will start in spring 2015 with completion in early 2017.

Details of the new school, including specific programs and features, will be determined when the project agreements are finalized. The Surrey school district provides many trades training courses to secondary students. As such, the district will explore the possibility of creating trades training opportunities and programs at the new school, in partnership with post-secondary institutions and industry stakeholders. The government launched the B.C.'s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: Re-engineering Education and Training earlier this year to give students a head-start to hands-on learning.

Also, a total of 16 classrooms with capacity for 370 students will be added to the three elementary schools, Adams Road Elementary, Rosemary Heights and Morgan. These facilities are currently over their capacity and student enrolment is expected to continue to increase in the future. The additions, once constructed, will address the need for more student space. Construction of the additions is scheduled to start this fall with completion in fall 2015.

The total budget for the four school projects is $64.6 million, including $55 million for the new secondary school and $9.4 million for the three additions. Under the agreements, the Province will contribute $45.6 million and the school district will contribute $19 million. The ministry and the Surrey board of education will finalize the project agreements in the next few weeks.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“Today we are celebrating our partnership and cooperation with the Surrey school district - clearly, by working together we are getting results. Most of our capital projects in school districts are focused on seismic upgrades for student safety. But at the same time, we are also creating more spaces for students in school districts where student enrolment is expected to grow in the future. These four projects are a great example of that commitment.”  

Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale -

“I’ve been living in Surrey for more than 10 years. Every year I see exciting new faces in my neighbourhood, as more families choose to work and live in our community.”

“Families here are thrilled to hear plans are moving ahead for the new secondary school in Clayton North and for additions to three elementary schools. There is an urgent need for more student spaces in our schools and I look forward to the day we celebrate the completion of these projects.”

Mayor Dianne Watts, City of Surrey -

“As the fastest growing community in Metro, the additional class space provided by these projects will help ensure that Surrey’s young students continue to have access to the facilities and resources they need for success.”

“Providing a safe and adequate space to learn is one of the most important investments we can make in providing our youth with a quality education.”

Shawn Wilson, chair of Surrey board of education -  

“Early this year, our board wrote to the minister offering to contribute funding in order to speed-up the process and address over-capacity issues at Adams Road and the South Surrey elementary schools, so we are thrilled to be able to now move ahead.”

“The announcement today takes care of the top priority projects in our capital plan and I know the students, staff and parents at all schools involved, including Lord Tweedsmuir and Clayton Heights Secondary schools will be happy as well.”

Quick Facts:

• The Surrey board of education is contributing $19 million — about 30% — of the total construction costs for the new secondary school and three elementary school expansions. The funding comes from the school district’s local funds ($4.6 million) and restricted capital account ($14.4 million), which include proceeds from the sale of district properties; including most recently, the old Sunnyside Elementary school.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $290 million for 49 capital and seismic projects and 12 site acquisitions in the Surrey school district. This project list includes 10 new schools, including Adams Road Elementary. In addition, the Province invested more than $25.8 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.
• Since 2001, government has spent more than $2.4 billion to complete capital projects, including 96 new and replacement schools, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 25 site acquisitions throughout B.C. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.
• During this time, the Province has committed more than $4 billion to school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963